Friday, March 3, 2023

Scratching the Travel Itch #3

A January 12, 2021, excursion north included the small rural community of Brooklyn, Mississippi, home to the Forrest County Agricultural High School, formerly a boarding school.

Even as a little kid I was curious about that school. I couldn't imagine leaving my family and home to live at a school.

On family day trips from our Hattiesburg, Mississippi, home to the Gulf Coast, I would see signs for that school. My curiosity was intense, but it was just one more thing that I wanted to know about but didn't ask my parents about. 

Now I realize they would have told me more about the school or even taken me for a visit. I was a shy kid, especially reluctant about asking questions. I think I was embarrassed when I didn't know something. 

I was an adult before I looked back at those early years and wondered why in the world I was under the impression that not knowing something was a condition to be ashamed of rather than an opportunity to ask questions.

In any case, that January day Hubby took me for a look at the school that had fascinated me as a child. We drove around the campus. Classes had yet to resume after Christmas and January break.

I resorted to that old standby Wikipedia for more information: The school is now listed as a Mississippi historical landmark. It was established in 1911 by an act of the Mississippi Legislature as an agricultural boarding school located on 320 acres of donated land. 

Students from across Mississippi, the United States, and several foreign countries were educated there. 

No longer a boarding school, these days it boasts outstanding facilities and robust academic programs. The competitive sports programs include teams for males and teams for females in a variety of sports. 

Our brief exploration gave us a good view of classroom buildings, gyms, tennis courts and other facilities. Everything looked in pristine condition. We completed our drive around the campus, and headed for the rural community of Carnes, last on Hubby's list to explore that day. 

Old farm houses and more modern homes graced the community. Most were well-maintained with lovely landscaping. 

I savored seeing homes surrounded by green fields, large barns, other out buildings and fenced pastures with contented looking cattle and horses.

But it wasn't long until hunger sent us south on U. S. 49. 

Tony's Brick Oven Pizza, a restaurant we had recently discovered in the old downtown area of Gulfport, Mississippi. 

We left Tony's happy and with full tummies. After the scenic drive home on U.S. 90 along the beach, we were extra tired but relishing good memories about our day.

Hubby definitely got his traveling itch scratched, at least for awhile. During our excursion I had totally forgotten my desire to take photos. By the time we arrived home, though, nap time won over any disappointment about missing photos.

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5 comments:

  1. You were living in the moment and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that!! Y’all had a great trip!

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    1. Oops! Linda C here! I’m on my phone hence the anonymous name!

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  2. You had me at the word pizza! Ha ha I do love pizza and I am happy to say that I can eat pizza once or twice a month as long as I don’t eat the whole thing I have to be careful how much I eat but it doesn’t upset my IBS it’s on my once in a while list. I would love to see the historical building I like old buildings and old town’s in fact anything old Maybe because I am old!

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  3. I truly love scoping out hidden and historical places. It sounds like you both got your travel scratched..yumm I do love a good pizza. Glad you were able to have it before your trek home. Yup, a nap always sounds good to me now...(:0)
    Sue

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